Collapsible Container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container is provided to include a single wire supporting frame having a collapsed and non-collapsed position. A covering is positioned about the single wire to form a closed bottom, an open mouth and a side. The supporting frame is a spring loaded coil such that the bottom and open mouth are movable relative to each other by action of the spring loaded coil between the collapsed and non-collapsed positions. Two sleeves are separately positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent both first and second free ends and separately adapted to enclose both the free ends thereby preventing the free ends from tearing the covering.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible container, more particularly, to a freestanding collapsible container with a spring loaded frame that can be collapsed flat for packaging and which is structured to self-open to an expanded, operable position for use.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Collapsible containers are well known and used extensively for containing laundry and other type of items. One major problem with these items is that it is well known that the collapsible wire laundry hampers from the prior art can cause traumatic eye injuries in people and especially in children. In these instances the wire spring around the perimeter of the containers often separate and tear through their protective cloth outer covering. This leaves an exposed wire end, often sharp and has potential to cause scratches across a person's skin or eye. These types of injuries are reported by Prickett, et al., in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, August 2013, Volume 132, Number 2, Traumatic Eye Injuries From Collapsible Wire Laundry Hampers. As such the main aspect of the present invention is to provide a solution to prevent these types of injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a collapsible container having a single wire supporting frame structure defining a base hoop, a top hoop and a side coil connecting the base hoop with the top hoop. The single wire supporting frame structure includes a first free end about the base hoop and a second free end about the top hoop. The container further includes a covering positioned about or enclosed around the single wire to form a closed bottom section about the base hoop, an open mouth portion about the top hoop and a side about the side coil. The single wire supporting frame is a spring loaded coil such that the base hoop and top hoop are movable relative to each other by action of the side coil. When moved the supporting frame defines a collapsed position, wherein the side coil is collapsed so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are proximal to each other; while a non-collapsed position is defined when the side coil is expanded so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are distal to each other. The container further includes at least one sleeve positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent either the first free end or second free end, and the at least one sleeve is adapted to enclose either the free first end or second free end, thereby preventing the free first end or second free end enclosed by the at least one sleeve from tearing the covering.

In other aspects, the collapsible container may include two sleeves separately positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent both the first and second free ends and adapted to enclose both the first and second free ends thereby preventing the first and second free ends enclosed by the two sleeves from tearing the covering.

In yet other aspects, a secondary covering portion spirals around a length of the single wire supporting frame structure, the secondary covering portion is attached to the covering to secure the single wire supporting frame structure between the covering and the secondary covering portion.

In further aspects, the collapsible container may include a pair of handle loops secured about the open mouth portion to allow the container to be carried. In other embodiments, the collapsible container includes one or more clips being secured about an exterior section of the closed bottom section, and fastener loops corresponding to the one or more clips. Each corresponding fastener loops is secured about an interior section of the closed bottom section, wherein when the container is in the collapsed position, the one or more clips are inserted through openings defined in the corresponding fastener loops such that the collapsible container is maintained in the collapsible position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible container of the present invention, and wherein the frame structure is shown in an non-collapsed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible container of the present invention, and wherein the frame structure is shown in a collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the collapsible container of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the collapsible container of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the collapsible container of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the spring wire used in FIG. 1 shown in the non-collapsed position and illustrating one aspect of the present invention having a wire sleeve to prevent the wire end from tearing out of the fabric;

FIG. 6B is another view of the spring wire from FIG. 6A; and

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the spring wire illustrating a sonic weld at one of the free ends of the wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the collapsible container of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the collapsible container 10 has a supporting frame structure 12 including a base hoop 14, a top hoop 16. The frame structure 12 is preferably a spring loaded frame or coil 18 that defines at one end the base hoop 14 and coils around to define the top hoop 16.

The top hoop 16 is movable relative to the base hoop 14 by action of the spring loaded frame or coil 18 from the collapsed position of FIG. 2 to an expanded, or non-collapsed position of FIG. 1. The non-collapsed position is also at its relaxed state, as such when in the collapsed position, the spring loaded frame or coil 18 has potential energy which when relaxed causes the container 10 to automatically move into a non-collapsed position.

The collapsible container 10 further includes a covering or material lining 20 that in concert with the coil 18 form a container. The covering 20 includes a closed bottom section 22 and an open mouth portion 24 that provides structure for the collapsible container 10 to serve as a container. The covering 20 further includes a secondary covering 26 portion that spirals around with the length of the coil 18 and is secured to the covering 20 to secure the coil between the covering 20 and the secondary covering portion 26. This aids in securing the coil 18 to the covering 20 in a particular position along the covering 20 to ensure the covering opens/closes properly with the transformation of the coil 18 from a non-collapsed to a collapsed position. In addition to urging the frame structure 12 from the collapsed position (see FIG. 2) to the expanded position (see FIG. 1), the spring loaded frame or coil 18 serves to provide support and shape to the sides of the covering 20 when in the expanded, non-collapsed position.

Referring back to FIG. 1, handle loops 28 may be secured about the open mouth portion 24 to aid a person in carry the container 10. In addition, one or more clips 30 may be provided and secured about an exterior section 32 of the closed bottom section 22 and used in connection with one or more corresponding fastener loops 34 provided and secured about an interior section 36 of the closed bottom section 22. When in the collapsed position, the clips are inserted through the opening of the corresponding fastener loops 34 such that the collapsible container 10 is easily held in its collapsible position (FIG. 2).

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an important aspect of the present invention is that the present invention further includes a sleeve 50 positioned at each free end 52 of the coil 18. During assembly the ends of the coil 18 are separately positioned in one of the sleeve 50 such that there is limited risk that the ends would tear through the covering 20 and pose a danger. The sleeve 50 may be made of any suitable material, however a soft rubber or plastic may be easily employed. In other aspects, limiting the ability for the ends to tear through the covering may include sonically welding at a sonic weld point 54 the ends separately to sections of the coil 18.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible container comprising: a single wire supporting frame structure defining a base hoop, a top hoop and a side coil connecting the base hoop with the top hoop, and Wherein the single wire supporting frame structure includes a first free end about the base hoop and a second free end about the top hoop; a covering enclosed around the single wire to form a closed bottom section about the base hoop, an open mouth portion about the top hoop and a side about the side coil, wherein the single wire supporting frame is a spring loaded coil such that the base hoop and top hoop are movable relative to each other by action of the side coil to define a collapsed position, wherein the side coil is collapsed so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are proximal to each other and to define an non-collapsed position, wherein the side coil is expanded so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are distal to each other; and at least one sleeve positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent either the first or second free end, and the at least one sleeve is adapted to enclose either the first or second free end thereby preventing the first or second free end enclosed by the at least one sleeve from tearing the covering.
 2. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising two sleeves separately positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent both the first and second free ends and adapted to enclose both the first and second free ends thereby preventing the first and second free ends enclosed by the two sleeves from tearing the covering.
 3. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the covering is defined to include a secondary covering portion spiraling around a length of the single wire supporting frame structure, the secondary covering portion further being attached to the covering to enclose the single wire supporting frame structure between the covering and the secondary covering portion.
 4. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising: a pair of handle loops secured about the open mouth portion.
 5. The collapsible container of claim 1 further comprising: one or more clips being secured about an exterior section of the closed bottom section, and fastener loops corresponding to the one or more clips, each corresponding fastener loops being secured about an interior section of the closed bottom section, wherein when the container is in the collapsed position, the one or more clips are inserted through openings defined in the corresponding fastener loops such that the collapsible container is maintained in the collapsible position.
 6. A collapsible container comprising: a single wire supporting frame structure defining a base hoop, a top hoop and a side coil connecting the base hoop with the top hoop, and wherein the single wire supporting frame structure includes a first free end about the base hoop and a second free end about the top hoop; a covering enclosing the single wire to form a closed bottom section about the base hoop, an open mouth portion about the top hoop and a side about the side coil, wherein the single wire supporting frame is a spring loaded coil such that the base hoop and top hoop are movable relative to each other by action of the side coil to define a collapsed position, wherein the side coil is collapsed so that the dosed bottom section and open mouth portion are proximal to each other and to define an non-collapsed position, wherein the side coil is expanded so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are distal to each other; and a weld positioned at the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent either the first or second free end securing the first or second free end to the single wire supporting frame structure, thereby preventing the first or second end from tearing the covering.
 7. The collapsible container of claim 6 further comprising two welds separately positioned at the single wire supporting frame structure to secure both the first and second free ends to the single wire supporting frame structure thereby preventing the first and second ends from tearing the covering.
 8. The collapsible container of claim 6 further comprising: a pair of handle loops secured about the open mouth portion.
 9. The collapsible container of claim 6 further comprising: one or more clips being secured about an exterior section of the closed bottom section, and fastener loops corresponding to the one or more clips, each corresponding fastener loops being secured about an interior section of the closed bottom section, wherein when the container is in the collapsed position, the one or more clips are inserted through openings defined in the corresponding fastener loops such that the collapsible container is maintained in the collapsible position.
 10. A collapsible container comprising: a single wire supporting frame structure defining a base hoop, a top hoop and a side coil connecting the base hoop with the top hoop, and wherein the single wire supporting frame structure includes a first free end about the base hoop and a second free end about the top hoop; a covering enclosed around the single wire to form a closed bottom section about the base hoop, an open mouth portion about the top hoop and a side about the side coil, wherein the single wire supporting frame is a spring loaded coil such that the base hoop and top hoop are movable relative to each other by action of the side coil to define a collapsed position, Wherein the side coil is collapsed so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are proximal to each other and to define an non-collapsed position, wherein the side coil is expanded so that the closed bottom section and open mouth portion are distal to each other; and two sleeves separately positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure adjacent both the first and second free ends and adapted to enclose both the first and second free ends thereby preventing the first and second free ends enclosed by the two sleeves from tearing the covering.
 11. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the covering is defined to include a secondary covering portion spiraling around a length of the single wire supporting frame structure, the secondary covering portion further being attached to the covering to enclose the single wire supporting frame structure between the covering and the secondary covering portion.
 12. The collapsible container of claim 9 further comprising: a pair of handle loops secured about the open mouth portion.
 13. The collapsible container of claim 9 further comprising: one or more clips being secured about an exterior section of the closed bottom section, and fastener loops corresponding to the one or more clips, each corresponding fastener loops being secured about an interior section of the closed bottom section, wherein when the container is in the collapsed position, the one or more clips are inserted through openings defined in the corresponding fastener loops such that the collapsible container is maintained in the collapsible position.
 14. A collapsible container comprising: a single wire supporting frame having a collapsed and non-collapsed position, the single wire supporting frame further having a first free end and a second free end; a covering positioned about the supporting frame and forming a closed bottom, an open mouth, and a side; the supporting frame being made from a spring loaded coil such that the closed bottom and open mouth are movable relative to each other by action of the spring loaded coil between the collapsed and non-collapsed positions; and a pair of sleeves positioned around the single wire supporting frame structure separately adjacent the first free end and the second free end, each sleeve, of the pair of sleeves, being adapted to enclose the first free end and the second free end thereby preventing the first and second free ends from tearing the covering. 